“I think this will be my last year no matter what happens,’’ Newman said (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). “After 15 years, I’ve soaked as much as I can in. It’s been a heck of a ride. I understand when it’s time for me. I’m not going to put an onus on doing anything special.”

Newman entered the league as the No. 5 overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He is one of three active players remaining from that class and that number will be reduced to two if Cowboys tight end Jason Wittenretires to begin his broadcasting career. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is the only other player from the ’03 class still hanging on.

This year will mark Newman’s fourth year with the Vikings. Before that, Newman spent nine years with the Cowboys and three years with the Bengals.